Abstract:
Many factors can lead to an increase in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in different
populations. Using an advanced structural equation model (SEM), this study is aimed to determine the
most important risk factors of MetS, as a continuous latent variable, using a large number of males
and females. We also aimed to evaluate the interrelations among the associated factors involved in
the development of MetS. This study used data derived from the Fasa PERSIAN cohort study, a branch
of the PERSIAN cohort study, for participants aged 35 to 70 years with 10,138 males and females.
SEM was used to evaluate the direct and indirect effects, as well as gender effects of influencing
factors. Results from the SEM showed that in females most changes in MetS are described by waist
circumference (WC), followed by hypertension (HP) and triglyceride (TG), while in males most changes
in MetS are described by WC, followed by TG then fasting blood glucose (FBG). Results from the SEM
confirmed the gender effects of social status on MetS, mediated by sleep and controlled by age, BMI,
ethnicity and physical activity. This study also shows that the integration of TG and WC within genders
could be useful as a screening criterion for MetS in our study population.
